City Council's Green Capital Action Plan approved

Cabinet last night approved the council's contribution to the city's bid to
become the UK's 'Green Capital'.

Following the launch of the 'Green Capital' initiative on 2nd March 2007,
organisations in Bristol were invited to commit themselves to developing and
implementing action plans that make a significant contribution towards a
more sustainable future for all in the city. 

Bristol City Council is one of 24 organisations to have signed up to this
pledge since the day of the launch, and last night put their action plan to
Cabinet.

The council has already made progress in many areas of the green capital
agenda - the new waste collection services, the freight consolidation
scheme, and the biomass boiler at Blaise are all good examples.  The
council's Green Capital Action Plan will build on these improvements. 

Highlighted under a range of themes including Balanced and Sustainable
Communities, Green Commerce, Better Homes and Buildings, Sustainable
Transport, Sustainable Waste Management and Improved Environmental Quality,
the Action Plan sets out the delivery of specific projects.  As well as
publicised initiatives such as the proposed wind turbines at Avonmouth, and
the implementation of the Greater Bristol Bus Network, projects also
proposed in the Action Plan include:

Developing 30 Eco-schools in the next 2 years - an initiative in which
pupils lead the way in reducing the environmental impact of the whole school
on the community Trialing new energy efficient streetlights, which builds
upon the council's achievement in procuring 100% renewable electricity for
all streetlights in the city Exploring the benefits of recovering energy
from waste to provide heat and electricity in a 2-year demonstration project
in partnership with Defra and Compact Power

The projects outlined in the Green Capital Action Plan will help the council
reach its target of reducing carbon dioxide emissions from council
activities by 3% per annum.

Councillor Barbara Janke, Leader of the Council, said: "A key point in the
Cabinet's approval of Bristol City Council's Green Capital action plan is
that all council departments will be working to deliver co-ordinated action
against climate change.  Working together with other organisations from
across the city and the Bristol Partnership, we are confident that this
action plan and its implementation will help Bristol realise its aspiration
to become the UK's 'Green Capital'.

The approval of the Action Plan comes as Bristol is to host a Polish
delegation visiting the UK in order to explore how Poland can move towards a
low carbon future.    During their visit to Bristol City Council on Monday
26th March, they will hear how the local authority is working with partners
to develop and implement a Climate Protection Strategy.

Ends

Press release issued: March 23 2007